Ongoing 2019 Tri Glide Build-Out w/ lots of photos, videos and observations

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Definitely, I'm really looking forward to it. My middle son is involved in putting this event on.

As of now, I'm traveling with my oldest son & a Goldwing friend of mine.

Durango is about 1,100 miles from St. Louis.

I was able to change my reservation to Augst 30th ... can only do the one night.

[DK Custom Products]

Been back at work on the TG, getting it ready for its' first big trip. We're riding around Nova Scotia and the Island of Newfoundland!

We've been testing out a prototype for adjusting the passenger floorboard. Lots of folks, including Mary, don't like how the grab-handles digs into their thighs. This little bracket has 16+ positions for floorboard adjustment. It moves them out 1" further, forward or rear-ward 3/8" and will adjust much higher to much lower than stock. It has been working out well so far.

These are adjusted 1" out, 1" higher than the highest stock position and 3/8" back from stock.

This one is unfinished, when powdercoated black it disappears between the frame and the oem floorboard bracket.



I was so happy to get the Mid-Step on the '19. Hundreds of times of getting on and off the TG without it only made me appreciate it more. This is the one off my '14, so it has 50K+ miles on it.



Yeah, the TG is filthy, been riding in the rain quite a bit.

Quite a few other things I've not had on here and missed. The first is the Floorboard Extensions. I used new ones, left my old ones on the '14.

Here is how close the Ride Floorboard is in stock form-



And here it is with it moved out. One would not think it could make so much difference. It is MUCH more comfortable.



Next up our my Highway Pegs with heel rests.



These came of the '14 and have close to 60K miles on them. I use them a lot & they are holding up very nicely. While I don't always have my feet on the pegs, 90% of the time I at least have the front of my foot on the heel rests.



Next thing was getting the Adjustable Passenger Pegs installed.

This is the 3rd bike they are on. These have well over 100K miles on them, and work just as well as when new. Where Mary rests her boots on the chrome, it is a bit worn, but only in those spots.



We have a lot more going on with the TG over the next week, and I will get it posted up soon.

Also, I've done a 1,000 mile review video that should be published this next week.

Also, we've done the bump recording with the stock shocks.

Last week we installed the Convertible Comfort Lift™ with the stock shocks. WOW, what an improvement! Next week we'll be doing the bump recording with that set-up. Then we'll be installing the 14" Trike Series Shocks™ so that we have a good ride for the trip up in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.

Kevin

[DK Custom Products]

Did a few more things over the weekend to the TG-

Installed an extended heel shifter. This allows my left foot the full use of the left floorboard. I've only ridden about 50 miles with it like this, but can say that I really should have done this earlier. It looks a little funny, but so do the Mid-Steps. Everything fits well. I was a bit concerned that the longer heel shift would hit the mid-step or make the parking brake harder to use. Nope. All works well.



btw, did I mention how much easier it is now to get on and off the TG with the Mid-Step. Super happy to have that installed.

Next up was the protective film. I had promised Mary I would not ask her to do the film on a bike again. She has done 3 or 4 previous bikes and it was always a PITA for her.

So this time I was going to have some "professionals" do it. What a fiasco that turned in to. (I have a video being edited on the entire saga that should be out soon)

I probably could have found another company to install some film for us...but time is not on our side. We are leaving soon for Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and there is no time to have someone else do it.

SOOOO, Mary and I, together, did the HD film kit. It was a bit irritating (I've never done it before myself), but with two of us working together, Mary said it went very quickly and easily compared to the times she's done it by herself in the past.

Below are a couple of photos of the fenders and body with the film installed. It turned out nicely, and looks good, even though these photos were taken right when we finished and is still all smudged up from our work on it.





Two things to note-

1. When prepping the fenders for the film, I found 3 small rock chips on the right fender, and 2 on the left fender. This is with less than 1500 miles of riding. All this riding was done of paved roads, except, of course, my gravel driveway.

2. This week I will be putting ceramic coating over the film, this is not to give it extra protection, but to make cleaning the bugs off the filmed areas easier, like the rest of the bike that is ceramic coated.

The last thing we did is drill holes in the Tour-Pak lid...



...this is always a measure 3 times first deal. Don't want any extra holes.

Then installed the TP Rack.



It is the second time we've used this style rack. Mary likes it because it has loops in each corner that make for easy use of bungee cords that stay in place.

We still have a few more things to do before leaving out. I'll update this thread as we get them done.

Kevin

[ultrafxr]

Good mods Kevin. I've run with the extended heel shift lever since well forever. Can't ride without it - it makes that much difference. And for those who don't like the heel shift well if they tried it with the extended lever I think they would be converts.

Glad you got the PPF on and sorry the 'professional' installation did not work. I too had never ever done the film when I installed the H-D film kit on my TG. I was cautious but really amazed that it wasn't all that difficult. A bit tedious but the horror stories I'd heard were just that - horror stories.

Sure wish I could use the mid-step but my old knees just won't bend enough to get over the seat the way you have to do using it. For those who are younger and more limber it is a great addition.

[Trampas]

Kevin sorry about your film mishap but it happens sometimes. Was wondering where you got your extended rear shifter from, also is that still the stock front shifter, it looks a little long but could be the angle of picture.

I thought there is little indents underneath the tour pak lid to know where you drill hole for the tour pak rack, at least I seen a video of it being installed can't remember who did it. I know my rack is different that yours and maybe that is it, not sure, a rack is a rack and I went with the one I had on the 16 triglide and was happy with it, more money for sure but I don't plan on adding a light kit to mine which is a option.

Was curious of the mid step, did view a video one time of a person using it to get up on the trike, maybe someday I will need it, at 71 I can still throw my leg up and slide across the seat or sometimes I just step on the footboard and get on that way.

All for now Trampas

[ultrafxr]

Kevin sorry about your film mishap but it happens sometimes. Was wondering where you got your extended rear shifter from, also is that still the stock front shifter, it looks a little long but could be the angle of picture.

I thought there is little indents underneath the tour pak lid to know where you drill hole for the tour pak rack, at least I seen a video of it being installed can't remember who did it. I know my rack is different that yours and maybe that is it, not sure, a rack is a rack and I went with the one I had on the 16 triglide and was happy with it, more money for sure but I don't plan on adding a light kit to mine which is a option.

Was curious of the mid step, did view a video one time of a person using it to get up on the trike, maybe someday I will need it, at 71 I can still throw my leg up and slide across the seat or sometimes I just step on the footboard and get on that way.

All for now Trampas

There are circles molded on the underneath side of the lid that line up perfectly with the H-D tour pak racks. Easy peasy, no measurement and if you drill carefully inside the circles everything lines up perfectly. But the rack Kevin has is different. The H-D rack legs (front to back) are all in line but on his rack they are staggered. Notice how outboard the front legs are so I know those would not line up. Maybe the back ones would but I don't know.

But I do like his rack. Looks wider than the H-D racks and I like the loops in the corners.

Regarding the light kit on your H-D Air Wing I agree with your decision to not add it. I did on my '12 CVO Ultra and it just isn't very bright. Now at night it is fine but in the daytime you simply cannot see the light unless you are very close and of course that is why we want good lighting to keep others from getting too close.

[Trampas]

There are circles molded on the underneath side of the lid that line up perfectly with the H-D tour pak racks. Easy peasy, no measurement and if you drill carefully inside the circles everything lines up perfectly. But the rack Kevin has is different. The H-D rack legs (front to back) are all in line but on his rack they are staggered. Notice how outboard the front legs are so I know those would not line up. Maybe the back ones would but I don't know.

But I do like his rack. Looks wider than the H-D racks and I like the loops in the corners.

Regarding the light kit on your H-D Air Wing I agree with your decision to not add it. I did on my '12 CVO Ultra and it just isn't very bright. Now at night it is fine but in the daytime you simply cannot see the light unless you are very close and of course that is why we want good lighting to keep others from getting too close.

I agree I like his rack also, but I guess I better be happy with the one I got, just wish mine had some loops in the cornors, LOL, wondering where his rack came from, not sure that is a HD brand but you never know, with the indents in the top lid of tour pak I would imagine it would fit both styles that HD sells

All for now Trampas

[DK Custom Products]

Good mods Kevin. I've run with the extended heel shift lever since well forever. Can't ride without it - it makes that much difference. And for those who don't like the heel shift well if they tried it with the extended lever I think they would be converts.

Glad you got the PPF on and sorry the 'professional' installation did not work. I too had never ever done the film when I installed the H-D film kit on my TG. I was cautious but really amazed that it wasn't all that difficult. A bit tedious but the horror stories I'd heard were just that - horror stories.

Sure wish I could use the mid-step but my old knees just won't bend enough to get over the seat the way you have to do using it. For those who are younger and more limber it is a great addition.

Yes, You, and others, got me over the hump on trying out the extended heel shift lever. I'm glad you did. I like it!

Tedious...that's the word that best describes putting on the film. But it's done and ceramic will be going over it this weekend.

I did not think I would like the Mid-Step when I first tried it out....but now I don't want to be without it.

Kevin sorry about your film mishap but it happens sometimes. Was wondering where you got your extended rear shifter from, also is that still the stock front shifter, it looks a little long but could be the angle of picture.

I thought there is little indents underneath the tour pak lid to know where you drill hole for the tour pak rack, at least I seen a video of it being installed can't remember who did it. I know my rack is different that yours and maybe that is it, not sure, a rack is a rack and I went with the one I had on the 16 triglide and was happy with it, more money for sure but I don't plan on adding a light kit to mine which is a option.

Was curious of the mid step, did view a video one time of a person using it to get up on the trike, maybe someday I will need it, at 71 I can still throw my leg up and slide across the seat or sometimes I just step on the footboard and get on that way.

All for now Trampas

I don't remember where I got the extended shift lever....one of our suppliers. But it seems like the same one you can get from J&P or Dennis Kirk.

Front one is OEM.

Like Jerry said, the rack I have has a different footprint than the HD rack, so had to do my own measurements for the holes. It is a Kury rack. When we go on trips we load it up pretty good...well past the HD "limit" and the corner loops make everything much easier.

Here is a LINK with more details on the Mid-Step.

It makes things easier for me because my handlebars sort of get in the way of me using the rider floorboards, my left hip and right foot/leg don't like the sliding over method, and Mary is often already using the passenger floorboards.

Kevin

[MDO]

Kevin, that looks like the same extendeded shift lever I got for my Freewheeler from J&P Cycles.

[DK Custom Products]

Kevin, that looks like the same extendeded shift lever I got for my Freewheeler from J&P Cycles.

Yep, looks the same.

Kevin

[DK Custom Products]

Busy day!

Hot too!

Did bump recording of 2019 with OEM shocks and Convertible Comfort Lift™

Then came back and swapped out the OEM shocks (Discovered an easy way to remove them without removing the body) for the 14" Trike Series Shocks™ and the 14" CCL.

Then went out and did more bump recordings with that set up.

Oh, and we also did some various drone footage of the Trike and the Softail, along with some GoPro footage.

Dwayne has a ton of work to do.

He will be putting together quite a few videos from today's (and previous days) work:

-Lift install instructions with OEM shocks

-Lift install instructions with 14" shocks

Both of these on a 2019 model. (we've had a few folks say they don't think it will fit...it fits fine as will be seen in the video)

-14" shock install instructions

-How to remove OEM '19+ shocks without removing the body

-A video showing how the '19 TG handled bumps in stock form, compared to the same bumps with stock shocks and Comfort Lift™, compared with the same bumps with 14" TSS & CL. This video will show the actual graphical data, along with video of the TG riding over the bumps.

The video will have objective data...BUT, my first report is that the stock '19 shocks really started getting irritatingly uncomfortable for me and Mary. I could not find a sweet spot. What did surprise me (and I'm interested to see if the objective data corresponds with my seat of the pants) is that the OEM shocks seemed to get much better with the Comfort Lift™ installed. Better than the improvement with the air shocks & the CL installed. Could be that I was just so sick and tired of being beat to death with the '19 OEM shocks. Dunno, we'll see what the data says.

I cannot tell you how nice it was to finally have my 14" TSS shocks on there. It was such a relief to finally get the ride to where it was stone comfortable and the TG stays flat in the curves. I was finally able to relax and not constantly be sitting forward and bracing myself for the bumps.

In a future post, or probably in a written companion to the video report, I will explain how I measured staying flat in the curves, or increased stability in the curves. Not only does this make for a more comfortable ride, it also increases safety.

Here are a few photo grabs from today.

It was 90+ degrees out while we were walking and reapplying our duct tape...some of it was still there from last time.



After some testing we were back in the shop swapping parts out for more testing-



Then back out for some more bump recording.



We have four different bumps, and lining the front tire up, right on the duct tape strip at each one, with cruise on 40 mph. The bump recorder does the rest.



Well, until Dwayne has to put all the video together, along with the BR graphs, in a digestible format.

Kevin

[Gold Nugget]

Kevin,

I have a couple questions,

1: what shock setting did you use on the start of your test?

2: I'm assuming your body weight is about 175-185?

3: did you have to fab or "dent" the ex-pipe? to keep the comfort lift from rubbing on the right side exhaust?

Thanks, Ed.................

PS: I agree, Stock Bikes SUCK!

[DK Custom Products]

Kevin,

I have a couple questions,

1: what shock setting did you use on the start of your test?

2: I'm assuming your body weight is about 175-185?

3: did you have to fab or "dent" the ex-pipe? to keep the comfort lift from rubbing on the right side exhaust?

Thanks, Ed.................

PS: I agree, Stock Bikes SUCK!

1 & 2. Stock '19 shocks set on 5, and I am closer to 200 lbs.

3. I did not do anything to the big weld on the exhaust. The swingarm barely touches the weld with the Convertible Comfort Lift™ and the OEM '19 shocks. That is with them installed on the secondary holes.

BUT, when I sit on it there is about 3/16" space between the pipe weld and the swingarm, and when Mary and I are both on it that moves to about 3/8" gap.

The weld on mine is larger than most. However, I have seen folks that have filed 1/16" or so off the humongous weld bead, right were it lines up with the swingarm. This does not affect the integrity of the weld at all, and makes them feel better about having a little gap there.

Further on the subject....I have looked at numerous new '19's on the show room floor that had the swingarm touching that weld bead, all in bone stock condition. It's just the nature of the beast, until/unless HD gets their welding robot to make a proper weld bead.

Kevin

[DK Custom Products]

New Video out with 1,000 mile impressions-



Kevin

[GTK]

Thanks for the ride along Kevin. Great informative video

[DK Custom Products]

Thanks for the ride along Kevin. Great informative video

Glad you enjoyed. Will be doing another one in a few months when the majority of mods are done and there are thousands of miles on them.

Kevin

[ShapeShifter]

Kevin, wondering does that plowing and opposite direction through the handlebars still occur, if the front brake is applied equally with the pedal strength to the rear? Just wondering would it cancel it, or possibly cause an even more unsettling set of circumstances?

What you described would not be a confidence inspiring experience to newbie trike owner.

[DK Custom Products]

Kevin, wondering does that plowing and opposite direction through the handlebars still occur, if the front brake is applied equally with the pedal strength to the rear? Just wondering would it cancel it, or possibly cause an even more unsettling set of circumstances?

What you described would not be a confidence inspiring experience to newbie trike owner.

Yes, it still occurs. Nothing has changed. I generally do it each day when I turn right into my driveway...just to keep myself familiar with the feeling, and to play around a little.

I've tried all different levels of front brakes simultaneously, none of it makes it worse or better.

I think it is some part of the DSCS to keep one from going to fast in a corner...but you are correct, it is not confidence inspiring. However, it may keep someone from doing something that might tempt the trike to roll. On the other hand, it may be such a surprise that it has unintended consequences. I do believe HD will refine whatever algorithm their using in future years.

Kevin

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Question:

With the migration, is that an issue when you have different fluids in those holes??? It would seem like it would be.

[Jack Klarich]

Question:

With the migration, is that an issue when you have different fluids in those holes??? It would seem like it would be.

No, The migration is according to HD not a problem until more than 6oz of fluid transfers from the tranny to the primary

Fluids being different so far is not part of the equation as far as what I have read

Some thinking to date is the primary is creating a vacuum and the fluid is being sucked thru the hollow tranny main shaft

I duuno if I buy this whole story yet. This problem has NOT reared its ugly head with Harley's before so I ask what else is new to these affected? The main common factor I see is the hydraulic clutch